Dear Tim,
I recently purchased a broadcloth, spread collar shirt with french cuffs. I’m really going for the Donald Trump look here; however, the only cufflinks I own are for my tuxedo. Would it be a fashion faux pas for me to use tuxedo cufflinks on a dress shirt?
— “FRENCH-CUFFED”
Dear “FRENCHIER,”
To be honest, I have never really differentiated tuxedo cuff links from regular cuff links. Maybe I am not as slick as I think I am, but if you are thinking about cuff links, you are thinking very formal dress. So, to me, it doesn’t matter what kind of cuff links you choose as long as you are dressed up. But, I also have been noticing some people’s choice to wear cuff links in a more casual way. No tie, just cuff links. I think it is a great way to dress your casual wear up. I don’t think it would be a fashion
faux pas. If you really are concerned, go buy a pair of regular cuff links. Now, I am really more concerned with the fact that you are after the “Donald Trump” look. I would shy away from looking like a 60-something-year-old man in college. Come on, you have half of your life to dress like Trump. Right now, you should take some chances. Lose the tie and add the cuff links. My rule of thumb is you can wear anything you feel comfortable in. Confidence is the most important thing you can wear. I know it sounds cheese, but that is the only way you can pull off wearing anything out of the ordinary.
Dear Tim,
Due to your recent column on dating advice, I thought I’d write in a similar question. There’s this girl that lives in my dorm. I don’t know her at all, I have no classes with her and I don’t know anyone she knows. But I keep seeing her around my dorm or around campus and I’m pretty sure she’s noticed me. So, can I meet this girl without looking like an idiot?
— “NEVER GOANNA HAPPEN”
Dear “YOU’RE RIGHT,”
I am not trying to be mean or anything, but if you see her around your dorm all the time and you haven’t been able to initiate one conversation with her, then you probably won’t start now. I mean, I think you should go for it, but it’s April. You have had an entire semester to talk to this girl. Since this is an advice column, I figure I should give you something to work with. If it really means a lot to you, you should try doing something nice for her. Open the door for her while she is carrying her laundry to her room. Or, better yet, carry the laundry for her. This will allow you to start a conversation with her while showing her that you are a gentleman. Other than that, you have nothing to talk to her about. Try to act like a gentleman and you will have her trying to initiate a conversation with you.